HSBC Malta Foundation has increased its commitment towards Din l-Art Helwa with an additional €75,000 in financial support for the ongoing restoration of Our Lady of Victory Church’s vault ceiling.
This was announced by HSBC CEO Mark Watkinson during a visit to the Valletta church in the presence of Professor David Park, Director of the Conservation of Wall Painting Department, Courtauld Institute of Art, London.
With HSBC’s support for Alessio Erardi’s masterpiece, Din l-Art Helwa, is restoring, conserving and enhancing the spiritual and historical significance of Our Lady of Victory Church, Valletta’s oldest building which is intricately linked to the city’s foundation and history.
“As the first church of the capital city, adorned, amongst others, with paintings by the Maltese artist Alessio Erardi, Our Lady of Victory Church is an invaluable cornerstone of Malta’s history which deserves the very best professional care and attention,” said HSBC CEO Mark Watkinson.
Din l-Art Helwa’s Executive President Simone Mizzi replied that HSBC’s substantial increase in funding ensures that conservation on Erardi’s scenes from the Life of the Virgin, will be successfully and professionally concluded by 2015. “We are also thrilled because this will coincide with Din l-Art Helwa’ Golden jubilee,” she said.
While stressing that the vault is a very important part of the conservation needed, Ms Mizzi reiterated that much else is still to be done. She expressed much gratitude to HSBC Malta Foundation, the Courtauld Institute conservators and Prof. David Park, who visited specifically to view progress on the ceiling at Our Lady of Victory.
Professor Park commented, “I am absolutely delighted by the progress which has been going faster than expected, while still observing the high standards set. This is the fourth consecutive professional task undertaken by the Courtauld Institute of Art on wall paintings in Malta, which include work at the Magisterial Palace and the Co-Cathedral. The task here has presented many exceptional difficulties, but work on the splendid Erardi ceiling is coming to a very successful conclusion.”
He augured well for the completion of all the other work needed to finally restore the Church to its original glory.